Saturday, Jun. 27, 2009

Ex-USC signee finds his groove

In roughly one year, Jordan Lyles has adjusted his game to the pro ranks

When Jordan Lyles was selected by the Houston Astros with the 38th pick in the first round of the 2008 draft, he didn’t take long to sign.

The 6-foot-4 right-hander from Hartsville High had choices — he was a USC signee — but he came to terms with the Astros after receiving a signing bonus of $930,000.

So far he has no regrets, especially after the way he has pitched for the Lexington (Ky.) Legends in the Single-A South Atlantic League this season.

Lyles has compiled a 4-6 record and 3.09 ERA while striking out a league-high 98 batters in 78ð innings over 14 starts.

“I’m feeling good. I’m coming into myself a little more,” he said.

He credits his maturation to learning to pitch inside — as well as using both sides of the plate to keep hitters off-balance. His ability to throw strikes may be best evidenced by his 16 walks.

“I’m kind of surprised by the strikeout totals, but since I’ve gotten into pro ball, my velocity has really gone up,” he said.

Lyles consistently cruises in the low 90s with his fastball, and he has begun to improve his curveball and develop a changeup, which gives him a full arsenal of pitches.

In Sunday’s start against the Greenville Drive, he picked up the win by allowing no earned runs and striking out 11 in six innings of work.

“It was a great experience,” he said of pitching in Greenville. “I had a lot of family and friends there to support me. It was a good day.”

Although he would love to receive a second-half promotion, he expects to stay in Lexington for now. His primary goal is to keep developing.

As an all-around athlete at Hartsville — he was good enough to play football, basketball or baseball collegiately — he is happy his pro career is in full motion.

“I can use the three or four years (he would have spent in college) to put into the minor league system, and I’ll be right there,” Lyles said.

So far, so good.

“I’m having fun,” he said.

Around the horn. Former Clemson pitcher D.J. Mitchell moved from Low Single-A to advanced Single-A with a promotion from Charleston to Tampa, Fla., earlier this season. Between his two stops, Mitchell, the New York Yankees’ 10th-round pick a year ago, has posted a 6-4 record with 3.23 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 75Ð innings. ... Reese Havens, the former USC shortstop now playing for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets, returned from the disabled list this week after being out since May 30 with a quadriceps injury. In his third game back, he homered, doubled and drove in two runs. A first-round pick of the Mets last summer, Havens has eight homers and 28 RBIs. ... Former Francis Marion outfielder Justin Greene continues his impressive play in the Chicago White Sox system. A 20th-round pick in 2008, Greene is batting .327 with nine doubles, seven homers, 19 RBIs and eight stolen bases for the Single-A Kannapolis Intimidators. ... Mike Cisco, the former USC right-hander who was picked by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 36th round last year, has pitched well for Single-A Clearwater after coming off the disabled list earlier this month. He didn’t give up an earned run in three consecutive starts before suffering his first loss of the season earlier this week. Cisco (3-1, 3.00 ERA) has struck out 30 and walked nine in 42 innings. ... Thomas Berryhill did his job in his professional debut for the rookie league Danville Braves Wednesday. Atlanta’s fifth-round draft pick out of Newberry struck out the final batter of the game in Danville’s 7-6 victory against the Pulaski Mariners. Berryhill allowed one hit and one walk, but the hard-throwing closer earned his first pro save.

Reach White at (803) 771-8643.

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